The Russellville City Council would be well served to focus on the future for inspiration and cease grasping for ideas from the past.

Local government has no place for partisan politics. Collectively, we need to end this tangent before it consumes us. Recent council discussions concerning partisan politics have overshadowed pressing issues our council should be focusing on.

We're proud of where we have come, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We're not a metropolitan hot spot. We're Russellville, Ark., and we need to concentrate on what we are, not on what we're not.

We elect council members to represent our fair city as one governing entity, not to play the partisan game. We need a united governing body to lead us, not a body divided by what party platforms might dictate.

"Most of the cities in Arkansas are going or already have gone to nonpartisan systems," said Don Zimmerman, executive director for the Municipal League. "A lot of them (municipalities) don't see the need to have partisan politics on the local level."

By law, Little Rock and Fort Smith, Arkansas' largest population metros, are nonpartisan.

The loudest argument thus far for partisanship in Russellville's city government is cost. Proponents claim less runoff elections will be needed in a partisan system. This is simply not true.

Partisan candidates would have to file earlier than any possible independent candidates. The general election could still act like a primary, therefore runoff elections would be just as common.

As a community, we should accept runoff elections because ultimately, we need them from time to time to elect the right person for the job.

Also without partisanship, candidates would not have to pay party filing fees, thus making running for local office more feasible for the common man.

A nonpartisan system creates a shorter election period and one that is more conducive to local government.

Democracy's foundation is anchored in the right to choose. Allow candidates to file without party affiliation, and allow citizens to vote their minds.

We need to stay the course and keep Russellville's best interest at the top our minds. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. We have enough challenges to make opportunities without adding to our list.

As always, call 968-5252 or e-mail any suggestions to editor@couriernews.com.